Love Island 2022: Meet the Islanders as the new series is just one week away

The first Love Islanders have been unveiled, with one week to go until the 2022 series kicks off.

Paige Thorne, 24, from Swansea is heading to Mallorca to find love, revealing she is ready for the hunks to ‘come to me now’ after failing to find romance back home, while Senior Microbiologist Dami Hope, 26, from Dublin is ready to play the field in the Spanish sun. 

The first crop of Islanders will all be unveiled this week, as the finishing touches are put on their new villa, ready for the start of the series, presented by Laura Whitmore, on Monday June 6. 

Here she is! Paige Thorne, 24, from Swansea is heading to Mallorca to find love, revealing she is ready for the hunks to 'come to me now' after failing to find romance back home

Our type on paper: The first Love Island star has been unveiled, with one week to go until the 2022 series kicks off. Senior Microbiologist Dami Hope, 26, (left) is ready to play the field in the Spanish sun while Paige Thorne, 24, from Swansea (right) has declared to the hunks ‘come to me now’ 

Paramedic Paige has declared she’s ready for the full Love Island experience: ‘In Swansea there is just no-one I can find, I’ve tried and there’s just nobody there anymore,’ she insists.

‘I need to break out and broaden my horizons and Love Island just brings everyone together for me. I haven’t got to go out and I haven’t got to swipe. So, hopefully they can just come to me now!

‘I came out of a relationship and I was just so done with guys so was like, ‘Right, that’s it. I’m going to focus on me.’ Then I was like, ‘Ok, I’m bored now, I’m lonely and I miss love and the connection and everything else.’ I’ve been on a few dates but I just haven’t clicked with anyone.’

Single and ready to mingle: Paramedic Paige has declared she's ready for the full Love Island experience: 'In Swansea there is just no-one I can find, I've tried and there's just nobody there anymore,' she insists

New experience: 'I need to break out and broaden my horizons and Love Island just brings everyone together for me. I haven't got to go out and I haven't got to swipe'

Single and ready to mingle: Paramedic Paige has declared she’s ready for the full Love Island experience: ‘In Swansea there is just no-one I can find, I’ve tried and there’s just nobody there anymore,’ she insists

Looking for love: Senior Microbiologist Dami Hope, 26, from Dublin is ready to play the field in the Spanish sun

Looking for love: Senior Microbiologist Dami Hope, 26, from Dublin is ready to play the field in the Spanish sun

On what she thinks she’ll bring to the villa, the bubbly brunette adds: ‘Just positive energy, lots of bubbly energy. I am a good cook and I’m quite mumsy so I’ll look after anyone that needs looking after.’

‘If I had to pick a signature dish, it would probably be a Sunday dinner. My roasties are up there, I think Gordon Ramsay would be impressed – I think he would be like ‘9/10 or 10/10’.

Dami from Dublin has also vowed to be ‘open to new things this year,’ explaining: ‘I think actually that’s why I put myself out there to get some new experiences. Love Island is a different experience.’

Hunk incoming: Dami from Dublin has also vowed to be 'open to new things this year,' explaining: 'I think actually that's why I put myself out there'

Confident: When asked what he thinks he'll bring to the villa, the hunk says: 'Just myself - Dami Hope! Being me - funny and my personality'

Hunk incoming: Dami from Dublin has also vowed to be ‘open to new things this year,’ explaining: ‘I think actually that’s why I put myself out there to get some new experiences. Love Island is a different experience’

He adds that he’s not going to put all his eggs in one basket, revealing his game plan is to talk I’to different girls, it might not go well with some, might go well with others, so it’s a fun experience.’

When asked what he thinks he’ll bring to the villa, the hunk says: ‘Just myself – Dami Hope! Being me – funny and my personality. I don’t know if I will cause trouble, I’ll try not to cause trouble but sometimes you don’t intentionally cause trouble – but it happens!’

The scientist has a keen interest in astrology, adding: ‘When I’m actually in a relationship, I think it’s a star sign thing, I’m an Aries but I’m very passionate – I always used to put that person first. If they had something they wanted to do or something they were passionate about, I’d make sure that even if it’s something I’m not talented at I’d get talented at it just so it helps them. I’m really good at being in a team and actually looking after each other.’

She's back: Laura Whitmore is returning as host of the ITV show, posing for promo pics this week as she prepares to jet off the Mallorca

She’s back: Laura Whitmore is returning as host of the ITV show, posing for promo pics this week as she prepares to jet off the Mallorca 

Meanwhile, the brand new Love Island villa finally looks near completion.

The original Mallorcan Love Island villa was sold back in March for €3m, (£2.57m) and the new location has been unveiled.

New images last week showed that a fire pit has been constructed inside the new six-bedroom mansion where contestants will gather for eliminations and recouplings.

This year’s islanders will have plenty of space in the villa’s outdoor area which also features a 20m swimming pool with a stunning view of the Mallorcan countryside.

The pool is surrounded by wooden decking along with what appears to be a white counter area which sits a few feet away from a new outdoor kitchen area.

Workmen were seen roaming around the outdoor area as they put the finishing touches to the property, which has a more rustic feel than the previous villa.

Wide shots show this year’s crop of islanders will have total privacy in the villa which is completely surrounded by fields. 

It was revealed earlier this year that bosses for the popular ITV2 dating series had started hunting for a new space in a bid to ‘enhance the show’, after filming at the same property for five years.

The new property sits at the foot of a hill in a rural area of the island. Season one and two of Love Island was filmed at a property in southern Majorca’s Santanyi region before being moved to Sant Llorenç des Cardassar in the north-east. 

It was confirmed earlier this year that the daring series was moving on from the Sant Llorenç des Cardassar villa in the north-east of the island.

Managing director of ITV’s media and entrainment, Kevin Lygo, said Love Island was moving to a ‘marvellous’ new mansion in what appeared to be a bid to revitalise the show.

New and improved: The brand new Love Island villa finally looks near completion with just one week left to ho until the launch of the new series

New and improved: The brand new Love Island villa finally looks near completion with just one week left to ho until the launch of the new series

‘We didn’t own [the last property]. We rented it and we are choosing a new house for this summer so that is all secrecy,’ Lygo told PA Media at the time.

This year’s contestants will be given inclusivity training, round the clock access to mental health experts and bespoke guidance on how to cope with instant fame as part of an extensive care package implemented ahead of its latest series.

Producers have ensured its latest crop of singletons are given plenty of professional guidance as part of their duty of care protocol – before, during and after their stay in the Spanish villa.

Ahead of this series, contestants will be offered video training and guidance covering appropriate inclusive language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, as well as general behaviours and microaggressions. 

Pre-filming psychological and medical assessments, including reviews conducted by an independent doctor, psychological consultant and reports from each Islander’s own GP to check their respective medical histories, are also required. 

The inclusion training, which Islanders are offered prior to entering the Villa, consists of conversations chaired by BCOMS (Black Collective of Media in Sport) founder Leon Mann MBE.

It also included DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) consultant Hayley Bennett, disability specialist Shani Dhanda and broadcaster Sean Fletcher. 

LOVE ISLAND 2022: DUTY OF CARE 

  • Comprehensive psychological support
  • Training for all Islanders on the impacts of social media and handling potential negativity
  • Training for all Islanders on financial management
  • Detailed conversations with Islanders regarding the impact of participation on the show
  • A proactive aftercare package which extends support to all Islanders following their participation on the show
  • Guidance and advice on taking on management after the show

 Information courtesy of ITV

The discussions have been devised to tackle topics including inclusive language, behaviour, creating safe spaces and being a good ally. 

Additionally, prospective Islanders will watch a video fronted by the show’s executive producer and head of welfare interviewing former Islanders about their experiences on the show. 

This includes details on the two week period before they enter the Villa, how to cope being filmed 24 hours a day, the interaction they will have with producers in the Villa, the support provided to family members, dealing with social media trolling, and adapting to life away from the show. 

As always registered mental health professional engaged throughout the whole series – from pre-filming to aftercare.  

Playing cupid: Love Island bosses have reportedly had to take action after it was suggested that that some hopefuls have been dumping their partners to get on the upcoming series of the show

Playing cupid: Love Island bosses have reportedly had to take action after it was suggested that that some hopefuls have been dumping their partners to get on the upcoming series of the show

Potential Islanders are also required to fully disclose in confidence any medical history that would be relevant to their inclusion in the Villa and the production’s ability to provide a suitable environment for them.

The cast will also be told they should consider all the potential implications of taking part in the show – in particular the negative feedback they might receive on social media – and work through this decision-making process with their families. 

It comes after Love Island previously addressed their duty of care after two islanders; Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis, and host Caroline Flack, tragically died by suicide within a period of 20 months. 

Meanwhile, Love Island is reportedly set for another series’ as ‘bosses begin plans for a 2023 winter’ edition, just weeks before the summer cast are set the enter the villa.

ITV aired its first winter series in South Africa in January 2020, which was won by Paige Turley and Finn Tapp, having previously started in June every year since 2015.

Love Island starts at 9pm Monday 6th June on ITV2 and ITV Hub. Episodes are available the following morning on BritBox

LOVE ISLAND 2022: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

Paige  Thorne

Name: Paige Thorne

Age: 24

Location: Swansea

Occupation: Paramedic

Who is their type on paper? ‘In Swansea there is just no-one I can find.

‘I need to break out and broaden my horizons and Love Island just brings everyone together for me. I haven’t got to go out and I haven’t got to swipe. So, hopefully they can just come to me now!

‘I came out of a relationship and I was just so done with guys so was like. Then I was like, ‘Ok, I’m bored now, I’m lonely and I miss love.’

Dami Hope

Dami Hope

Name: Dami Hope

Age: 26

Location: Dublin

Occupation: Senior Microbiologist

Who is their type on paper? ‘I will be talking to different girls, it might not go well with some.

When I’m actually in a relationship, I think it’s a star sign thing, I’m an Aries but I’m very passionate – I always used to put that person first. 

If they had something they wanted to do or something they were passionate about, I’d make sure that even if it’s something I’m not talented at I’d get talented at it just so it helps them.

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